Celebrating St Patrick’s Day on the island of Ireland is like going to Mardi Gras in New Orleans or Carnival in Rio de Janeiro – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience! All across Ireland towns and villages come alive with energy, celebration and events that range from artistic to eccentric.
But festivals don’t just happen on 17 March, as in Ireland they’re a year-round affair. Halloween fright nights, delicious food festivals and lively music events are just some of the highlights in store. Here are 12 fantastic festivals in Ireland your clients won’t want to miss:
Dalkey Book Festival
15-18 June
Famed author Salman Rushdie called the Dalkey Book Festival “the best little festival in the world”, and it’s easy to see why. Now in its 13th year, it showcases the best of Irish and international literary talent, with performances, debates and events taking place in venues across the town of Dalkey, outside Dublin. It’s previously welcomed Booker prize winners, global thought leaders, Oscar winners and Nobel Prize laureates.
Sea Sessions
16-18 June
As the the only surf and music festival in Ireland, Sea Sessions brings music, beach games, skating, BMX, graffiti artists and more to Bundoran in County DonegaI on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. Previous acts have included Dizzee Rascal, Paul Weller, Tinie Tempah, Seasick Steve and Primal Scream.
Cork Midsummer Festival
June
Cork Midsummer Festival is an annual multi-disciplinary arts festival, with performances by local and national artists. Cork is used as both a backdrop for performances and inspiration, so expect to find acts in forts, churches and on the streets.
Belfast Tradfest
23-29 July
The week-long Belfast Tradfest features traditional music, song and dance, with a programme of concerts, talks, lectures, sessions, ceilidhs and a festival club, bringing together both the Irish and the Ulster-Scots musical traditions.
